Edgartown Harbormaster Charlie Blair says the whale washed up on South Beach early Monday morning. It's not clear exactly how long it's been dead.

Blair says the whale has been moving east with the water. The area has been roped off to keep the public away due to health hazards.

Town police Sgt. Joel DeRoche says plans are in the works to hire a private contractor and tow the carcass out to sea. The state Department of Conservation and Recreation will be involved in the removal.